I feel like the cuts and fabric choices are what wow me with Japanese fashion. They still adopt a lot of looks that have been popular in the west for a long time, but they just do them better or put new/interesting spins on them.
I've been wearing Japanese fashion since the 80s and fabric quality is everything as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I also love how a lot of Japanese fashion doesn't date itself and also blends right in with cultural aspects that date back hundreds and hundreds of years. Greetings from Los Angeles
100% play with fabrics and textures! Change 1 texture and suddenly what was a plain fit can really pop Also love how over in Japan you see much more variety in silhouettes - something I've tried to bring back with me myself
I was just in Kyoto and the first words that popped into my head seeing the fashion there were “effortlessly cool.” So many great looking people there, of all ages. The shops were amazing too. Tons of great mens’ fashion too. I picked up a very old and worn French workwear jacket there which I’m patching up Kyoto style. Love Japanese fashion!
Many years ago I bought a plain white tee from a department store at Roppongi Hills and I always get compliments every time I wear it. It's just a white tee with a pocket and a small embroidered + sign in navy on the pocket. Goes to show the Japanese has a way of perfecting everything that they do.
Reggie, I wish you would talk/show techniques for making a cohesive ensemble from disparate parts showing an alternative to just buying from one label. Not being very savvy I can only think of obvious unifying elements such as colour groups/families, pattern types, fabric type/texture, drape (flowy to structured), etc. While at the same time showing how contrasting elements add interest to what would otherwise be a dull uniform effect.
Its the casual faahion in Japanese where they really excell. They can make shoes that are maligned here, look absolutely flawless in their own context. I also like the monochromatic art of manga as well. If you were to carry that over, but adapt it to natural colors from real world pigments, you can get styles that, while fashion, dont look like they were made for a fashion show in Paris. If youll forgive the paradox, there is a "beautiful ugliness".
When you mention fabric i think of kaptain sunshines made up fabric called the double reverse cross super 140 melton. A western brand would just say 100% wool and leave it at that Basically a peacoat wool fabric but not scratchy at all
Like many aspects of Japanese design and culture it is their attention to detail that creates a cohesive fashion identity. Back when magazines were king, there were Japanese magazines that were basically instruction manuals on how to achieve any certain look (prob still exist). If you wanted a biker look they told you which footwear, jeans, jackets, t-shirts, etc to wear. And because many Japanese value quality they often examine garments for special quality and construction. The opposite of most Western consumers.
If anything, Western (US) brands are stubbornly consistent, that’s why they fit very well into the vintage Japanese market (Nike, NB, Levi’s, etc.) You’d be shocked walking around at night the number of NB’s, & other Western brands you see on the daily. It’s probably as high as vintage military gear, which a ton of designers emulate, spin & incorporate (cargos, combat boots (sans steel toe), aviators/flight gear.
I saw a street shot of a Japanese guy in blue overalls and dominoes pizza T-shirt with maybe a hot and some plain shoes. It went hard to me. It was simple yet effective just because of how it fell on the body
Harder. We’re trying to incorporate some women’s styles on our channel as well but it’s hard not having a lady on staff to help out with styling. We certainly want to explore it in the near future to complete THECASUAL circle.
@@THECASUALco I am looking forward to that!! I really love your channel and I am into japenese street style but I find it hard to find inspiration for myself as a female. Thanks 😊
Yeah the Japanese are not into showing off but they do show off low key. You just have to look for it. I’ve been going for 25 years and always pick up stuff but it’s rarely anything showy or gaudy, but they have that too, if you want it. It’s just not what many people wear.
If you think that Japanese fashion is great, wait until you delve into their whisky, cuisine, architecture & automation. What I appreciate most about Japanese fashion/culture is their attention to detail & quality. What I dislike the most is pricing, availability & size. When it comes to capitalism WRT fashion, Japan seems to go at high, quality/low availability & sizing. If you’re lucky enough to happen upon a cult brand that has American sizing, you’re good. Thanks for the video!
